Paint palette system

ABSTRACT

A paint palette system for holding and dispersing paint wherein the a painter can pour paint into a low profile receptacle for later removal with a paintbrush or like tool, wherein a disposed and removable paint retaining fabric retains the paint in a drip-less and mess free fashion wherein paint can be transported and stored in an improved manner allowing for a faster and more efficient painting effort.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional patent applicationNo. 61/685,281 filed Mar. 15, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a painters tool used for storing, holding anddispensing paints in an improved manner. In particular the inventionrelates to an improved low profile receptacle apparatus and system tocarry paint from one location to another without spillage and todisperse paint to a brush or painting tool.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

A paint palette is a tool typically used by an artist and is used toprovide a hand held platform typically made of wood or plastic on whichthe artist dabs acrylic paint for use when painting.

Typically, this is used only for artist painting upon a canvas anddesigned for the use of thicker acrylic paint that can be applied indabs. This system works well for an artist painting in acrylics but atypical artist palette would not be suitable for someone painting ahouse.

While the artist palette will not generally work for a typical housepainter it could offer a painter a useful way and tool to move paintfrom one location to another without spillage.

Unfortunately, if a mixture of house paints were to be applied to apainters palette the results would lead to paint running and mixingtogether. Additionally the typical house paint would not easily remainon the palette if the palette were tilted.

In general, the prior art for painter tools designed to provide apalette tool or like has attempted to create paint palettes by focusingon producing small paint cavities or keeping paint retained within asponge or a similar material.

Other prior art has utilized porous materials on which dabs of paint areplaced, but still utilize a water retentive means such as a spongematerial to keep the paint from drying out. None of these system allowsfor easy storing and are not designed to retain the paint betweenextended uses.

Although these types of systems are adequate to maintain the paint dabsin a useable condition for short periods of time, they have a tendencyto dry the paint from the top of the sponge, thereby necessitating theuser to add water or oil to the palette in order to maintain the paintin a useable condition.

Additionally, house paint is often stored between uses for extendedperiods of time and typically needs to be transported to the variouslocations about a house wherein an artist palette typically remains inan art room.

Prior art has not shown us a useful means for transporting and storingor viewing paint colors while in storage. Additionally, Prior art hasnot provided a truly useful painters tool that allows a painter a trulypowerful tools to speed up the painting process in a neat and effectiveway.

Thus, there exists a need for a tool that can be used by painterscomprising a paint palette system that can maintain paint in a moist anduseable condition and also dispense paint to the paintbrush in a simplefashion while being easy to transport and store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The paint palette system is a new system and tool long needed bypainters and fills a need for both professional and non-professionalpainters. The invention provides an improved way to move paint aroundthe house or up a ladder without spillage.

The paint palette system allows the painter to focus on painting and noton accidental spills or worrying where the paint bucket is located oraccidentally knocking over a paint can. Focus can be on painting.

The paint palette system is so mess free that a child can paint withoutspilling paint. In testing the paint palette system the product wasloaded with paint and thrown on a rooftop without any loss of paint orspillage.

The paint palette tool system allows for easy storage and reuse ofpaint. The complete paint palette tool system can be easily stored forextended periods of time in commercially available seal type plasticbags. It can be easily stored and the paint color can be easily viewedwhen needed again.

The paint palette tool system allows for the painter to worry less aboutmess and more about painting. The paint palette system allows for lesstrips to the paint can to reload the paintbrush. The paint palettesystem also saves the painter clean up and painting time.

A painter can now climb a ladder to paint a roof or elevated areawithout handling full cans of paint. A painter can even take two or morecolors to remote locations without worrying about multiple cans.

The paint palette system offers a unique tool with many add-ons forholding a brush, squeegee or other tools and its novel design offersmany improvements for painters and simplifies the painters' life.

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the disclosed inventionare provided including but not limited to an improved system or processwherein a house painter or like professional can paint in a moreefficient and faster way.

Other objects and advantages of the invention include providing anapparatus for paint containment and dispensing that is spill proof andeasily transported, as well as an apparatus that is easily manageable,carried and sealed

for an extended time.

Additionally, the invention discloses an apparatus that can be easilyheld while transporting paint up and down a ladder and will retain painteven when tipped at an angle. The invention is also a low profilecontainment apparatus that allows it to be taken into very tight placesand stored easily.

Another new and unique advantage of the invention is that multiplecolors can be used together without the paints mixing and it can also beset upon a high pitch roof and will not slide off or spill the containedpaint.

The apparatus can be tilted at a high degree and be turned upside downonto a drop cloth for an extended period of time to prevent air fromdrying the contained paint.

When in use, the system will not drip paint on unprotected surfaces.When used outside the apparatus can be held at any angle away from thesun to shield the paint from drying while painting outdoors. It can alsobe used to shield the sun out of the painters' eyes without spilling thecontained paint.

The invention retains paint and will not spill or drip even when turnedupside down and will additionally keeps paint from being blown off thebrush in windy conditions. This is due to less excess paint to removefrom the brush.

Because of the improved design of the invention the brush is loaded withpaint in an improved fashion and the brush, roller, or other paintingtools become easier to use and better disperses the paint. Less paint iswasted.

Paint storage also becomes easier, due to the low profile. The wholepalette system can be contained in a commercially available plastic bagallowing for extended storage times between uses and additionally theclear plastic allows for ease of viewing paint colors stored.

Additionally, use of the apparatus minimizes the use of drop clothsbecause of its spill resistant design. Further objects and advantages ofthe invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawingsand ensuing description.

Certain accessories may also be added to the invention as described andmay include a strap across the base of the container so that a user mayslide their hand between the strap and the container base. Otheraccessories may include a Squeegee, covering means and add-onattachments for managing a paint brush or other tools.

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of theinvention will be more readily understood upon the consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view;

FIG. 2 is a right end view, the opposite side bring a mirror image;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view;

FIG. 4 is an end view taken from FIG. 3, the opposite side being amirror image;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view;

FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken from FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken from FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of the basic embodiment of the paintpalette tool system invention 10 wherein the main body of the inventioncomprises an open-top circular structure container 20 comprising an openreceptacle 30 constructed of a semi-rigid plastic material.

In the preferred embodiment the invention 10 has several fittingcomponents including a semi-rigid outer structure comprising an open lowprofile structure designed for complementary receiving a snap-inremovable liner 60 constructed of a thinner and lighter plasticmaterial.

Plastic liner 60 shall be designed to receive and have affixed withinits interior a cut and formed bristle fabric 70 fitted within theinterior cavity 80 of the liner 60 Shown in FIG. 5. In the preferredembodiment bristle fabric 70 is a formed cavity that is securely fittedand affixed to the interior side of removable liner 60 as shown in FIG.1 and FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of formed bristle fabric 70.

Formed bristle fabric 70 is a commercially available paint retainingmaterial typically used on paint application devices and is a fabriclike material comprising a short bristle filament or like material.

The bristle fabric 70 may also be know as paint pad material may be aflocked material, acrylic canvas pad, open cell foam material, a memoryfoam, sponge, woven carpet or similar like materials.

In the preferred embodiment the formed bristle fabric 70 may have anadhesive backing for quick assembly and attachment. In a secondembodiment shown in FIG. 9 the bristle fabric is supplied in a die cutsheet form. A fitted circular section 78 is affixed to the interior ofthe bottom of the interior cavity 80 and a matching cut strip 75 isaffixed to the interior of the outer edge of the liner 60.

Additionally, in a second embodiment, a pair of extended wall sections82 may be added to the sidewall 50 and shaped accordingly to support abrush handle from sliding, shown in FIG. 9. Raised sidewall 82 placed ata ninety degree angle from liner snapping means 60.

Although the preferred embodiment allows for a liner component 60 fittedinto the open top circular structure 20. The invention 10 may be usedwithout a liner 60 and bristle fabric 70 may be applied directly intothe open receptacle 30. The liner 60 allows for more functionality andeasier cleaning.

Said receptacle 30 shall be preferably constructed of a semi rigidplastic or like material comprising a substantially flat bottom base 40with enclosing sidewalls 50 Shown is FIG. 3. Sidewalls 50 preferablyformed in a concave shape or similar shape as best seen in FIG. 3.

Sidewalls 50 shall be rigid and may be outwardly inclined or angular inshape with complementary design features for securely receiving andfitting liner 60. Sidewall 50 may in some embodiments have a guide rigid140 that may be used for additional add-on tools such as a paintsqueegee 150.

The open receptacle 30 shall have a centrally mounted opening 90 in thecentral base of the bottom section in embodiments that require a liner60 for ease in removing said liner 60. In embodiments without the liner60 a opening is not required.

The flat bottom base 40 shall be constructed of a rigid material and mayhave on the exterior bottom side extruded design features to better gripa surface that may include extruded feet or gripping ridges. The bottom40 may additionally be slightly depressed in reference to sidewalls 50.

Some embodiments of the invention may include formed attachment meansfor attaching brushes, tools, and other utility items that may be usedby an amateur or commercial painter and feature attachment opening 100shall be included on the invention 10 for future features.

The invention 10 shall also have a handle means 110 extending across thelength of the flat bottom base 40 and shall be affixed by a plurality offastening support extrusions shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8.

In one embodiment, handle 110 may be threaded thru a complementaryreceiving ring 130 as shown in FIG. 8. Handle adjustable options mayinclude D-Ring, strap adjustment connectors or Velcro adjustment means.

In other embodiments, handle 110 may not be adjustable and be affixeddirectly to the flat bottom base 40 and may be affixed by a glued,snaps, fastening commercially available hardware. Handle 110 may also beremovable for replaceable as required.

Handle 110 shall be constructed of a flexible material and may be madeof a durable cloth fabric or like material. In other embodiments aflexible plastic or rubber like material may be used. Handle 110 mayalso include metal or plastic ends for secure attachment to handlereceiving connections (Not Shown).

Said handle 110 shall be designed to easily facilitate handling andtransportation. Additionally, said handle may also act as a grippingcomponent and keep the invention from sliding off a steep incline suchas a roof or like surface.

In use the invention 10 is utilized by pouring paint into the openreceptacle 30 and then sliding the users hand between the strap handle110 and flat bottom base 40. The paint palette system 10 may then beused to dispense paint to a paint brush or like tool. The paint palettesystem may be used at any angle and has been tested while upside downwithout paint spillage.

The paint palette system 10 in the preferred embodiment includes a smallattached paint squeegee 150 that helps pull all the paint from thebristle fabric The squeegee 150 may also be used as a hard paintseparator.

In use the paint palette system 10 may have multiple colors of paint inthe open receptacle 30 or liner 60 and the paint colors will not runtogether. In use it has also been discovered that multiple brushes canalso be carried using the strap handle 110.

In between uses, the paint palette system 10 may be easily stored in areadily available 1½ gallon salable plastic bag (Not Shown) and may beeasily stacked when multiple palette systems are used.

Additionally, multiple liners 60 may be stored in plastic bags and maybe interchangeably inserted into the open receptacle 30 in cases whereinmany different paint colors are utilized and this offers the user asimpler way to view and use multiple colors

In some embodiments a plastic divider means be inserted into the liner60 and may be used to better separate paint colors or materials that maybe utilized. The paint palette system may additionally be used for othermaterials besides paints where a hard divider is required to keepseparate material apart such as glue and paint.

Although applicant has described applicant's preferred embodiment ofthis invention, it will be understood that the broadest scope of thisinvention includes such modifications as diverse shapes and sizes andmaterials. Such scope is limited only by the below claims as read inconnection with the above specification. Further, many other advantagesof applicant's invention will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the above descriptions and the below claims.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides for a novel and improved means for filter inspection andwhereas the present invention has been described in a particularfashion, it should be understood that other and further modificationsapart from those shown or suggested herein may be made within the scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A paint palette system for holding and dispersingpaint comprising a low profile open-top circular receptacle having aflat bottom base with sidewalls extending upwards with a handle meansextending across the bottom width of the base with a removable snap-inliner affixed with a paint retaining bristle fabric with a snap insqueegee, allowing for a more efficient painting system;
 2. A paintpalette system as claimed in claim 1 wherein sidewalls are concave;
 3. Apaint palette system as claimed in claim 1 wherein sidewalls areperpendicular to the base;
 4. A paint palette system as claimed in claim1 wherein sidewalls extend outwardly at a 15% angle;
 5. A paint palettesystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein base exterior has a rough texturedsurface gripping means;
 6. A paint palette system as claimed in claim 1wherein base exterior has extended feet for gripping;
 7. A paint palettesystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein adjustable handle is fitted thruformed extrusions in the flat bottom base;
 8. A paint palette system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein adjustable handle is affixed to the sidewallson opposite ends of the base;
 9. A paint palette system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein handle is non-adjustable;
 10. A paint palette system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein handle has rigid connectable ends;
 11. Apaint palette system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a snap on lid inaffixed;
 12. A paint palette system as claimed in claim 1 wherein thecircular shape is a squared shape;
 13. A paint palette system as claimedin claim 1 wherein a sealable plastic bag is used to store theinvention;
 14. A paint palette system as claimed in claim 1 wherein hardplastic dividers are utilized to separate paints from other substances;15. A paint palette system as claimed in claim 1 wherein paint retainingmaterial is a open cell foam or like material;
 16. A paint palettesystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein paint retaining fabric is adheredby Velcro for removal and cleaning;
 17. A paint palette system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein liner is not used in paint system;
 18. Apaint palette system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a central opening inthe base allows for easy removal of liner.
 19. A paint palette system asclaimed in claim 1 wherein base interior has a rough textured surfacefor holding paint.
 20. A paint palette system as claimed in claim 1wherein sidewall has a raised extension for holding a paintbrush.